If you turn the other cheek, you will get a harder blow on it than you got on the first one. This does not always happen, but it is to be expected, and you ought not to complain if it does happen.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Turning the other cheek may invite a harsher retaliation, though it’s not guaranteed.
- In plain terms
- Non‑violence can sometimes lead to a stronger blow.
- What can you take from it?
- Peaceful responses may not always prevent further aggression.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is non‑violence effective?
- How do you balance principle and safety?
Another view
The claim is a generalization and may not hold in all contexts.
More from George Orwell
A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him.
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